Directions

Place the sausage in a large pot over medium high heat and saute for 10 minutes, or until well browned. Drain the fat except for about 1 tablespoon, add the onions and garlic and saute for 5 more minutes.

Next add the beef stock, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any fat that may surface.

Add the zucchini, tortellini, green bell pepper and parsley to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until tortellini is fully cooked. Pour into individual bowls and garnish with the cheese.

Most Helpful Positive Review

Nov 05, 2006

YUM-O! This was excellent! I used hot italian sausage and skipped the wine. I also added a package of frozen corn, red peppers and black beans (came mixed together). Also used 2 cans of diced tomatoes with green peppers and garlic instead of fresh tomatoes. Added some red pepper flakes and used boxed cheese and spinach tortellini. Oh, and I put in a whole package of fresh baby spinach around 5 minutes before it was done. This soup is great because you can add just about anything you like. It was so delicious and filling. This is a definite keeper in my house!

This is as good or better than any soups we've had in Italy. My Italian husband loved it, and with all of the vegetables it's truly a healthy meal, even with the sausage! Easy to modify (I added additional tortellini and vegetables to make it even heartier), and keeps well for additional meals. Thank you, Tim, for a great recipe!

I made this twice. The first time I used an iron skillet and hubby cooked sausage on grill. I sauted onions and garlic in pan. Then added red cooking wine and beef broth and let it boil for a while. Then, I added the sausage and let it cook a little longer. Then I put in crock pot and put in seasonings and tomato sauce. I left out the tomatoes. I let it cook for a couple hours more. Kids loved it. It got left out overnight and I had to throw it out. :(
Second batch I used chicken broth and cooked the sausage in the skillet. I put it in the crock pot again with the sauted veggies and instead of tomato sauce I just added a whole jar of spaghetti sauce! I left it thin enough to be a soup and the seasoning were enough to keep it tasting great. The second batch was a little oilier because of the cooking the sausage inside in a skillet rather than the grill. I think the flavor of sausage was better the first time, but the spaghetti sauce worked great.
Then second batch I

This is indeed really, really good! I am a stickler for following a recipe to the letter the first time (I do not understand how people can trash a recipe and then go on at length about what they did or didn't do - it just isn't fair!)and I wouldn't change a thing. Maybe add some fresh spinach or mushrooms? Thanks Tim for an excellent addition to my recipe box!

Delicious! This is the second time I have made this. First time, true to the recipe and second time, a few moderations. Both ways, though, you can't go wrong!
This time I:
~used a can of diced tomatoes instead of fresh to save time
~out of red wine, used extra broth
~added a teaspoon of creole seasoning to bump up the flavor
~to cut calories I used turkey italian link sausage
I put everything but the tortellini in a crock pot and let it simmer on low all day while at work. When I came home, I pulled the sausage out and sliced it, boiled the tortellini and added it, then added in 2 heaping tablespoons of cornstarch to 1/4 cup of water to thicken it up a bit.
Topped it all with a little dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar with blue tortilla chips on the side and viola! Dinner served with so little effort... :)

I used half beef and half chicken broth, canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh, dried pasta and I added some fresh baby spinach the last 5 minutes cooking. This was a great soup.....and it makes a ton. Hubby is looking forward to leftovers! Thanks Tim for the great recipe.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.